Boothbay Region High School (BRHS) Interact Club, a youth extension of Rotary, raised $1,085 April 10 for Education Boothbay (EB). About 20 Interact Club students, using the Rotary Clubhouse and kitchen facilities, fed over 50 attendees and fulfilled a couple dozen to-go orders before selling out of food. The meal was a full spaghetti dinner with salad, garlic bread, drinks and cake for a suggested donation of $10.

Bruce Harris gave opening remarks before turning the mic over to senior Abigail Clark, Interact Club president. Clark spoke of the club’s accomplishments this year, including a food drive for the Community Resource Council fridge, the Veterans Day Dinner in honor of local veterans, creating and delivering holiday cards at St. Andrews Village and supporting victims of the California wildfires by selling bracelets and donating proceeds. Clark also spoke of the club’s upcoming Earth Day cleanup efforts and going back to St. Andrews Village for bingo.

Club members are adept at running the spaghetti dinner, an annual tradition. They divide the labor over a few work stations to make serving the crowd seamless and efficient. Once everyone is served, students enjoy themselves before clearing tables, cleaning the kitchen and breaking down tables and chairs. Principal Tricia Campbell, School Board Chair Peggy Splaine and several members of the faculty attended. 

Education Boothbay has funded over $200,000 for tools and resources to support science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM) programs. Their mission is to help teachers teach and students learn by supporting innovative tools and resources outside of what may be available through school budgets. The nonprofit partners with teachers to help students in public schools learn skills necessary for success in college and in their careers. Serving Southport Central, Edgecomb Eddy, Boothbay Region Elementary and High schools, EB has provided 3D printers, a laser cutter, CNC router and teacher grants and provided funds to offset nearly $30,000 of costs associated with COVID-19 response, specifically school meals. Their associated grants have helped fund BRHS Drama productions, the visiting artist program and more.